11 March 1813 – Battle of Bargas

Tactical map of battle area

Suchet has secured his flanks at Torrijos and Mocejon

He now leads the main attack on Bargas

Success here will open the main road to Seville

7^th French corps is supported by two brigades from the reserve

2^nd Spanish corps is deployed to defend Bargas

It is a full strength corps with four infantry brigades, one cavalry and artillery

It is also supported by the garrison of Bargas

 

French – 6 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Spanish – 5 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

2^nd Spanish corps, plus town garrison, deployed in and around Bargas

Suchet will arrive top centre with 7^th French corps at the start of move 1

End of Move 4

Suchet has taken command of reserve infantry and 7^th dragoons

He is advancing on the left

7^th corps infantry advance in the centre with artillery on their right

 

Spanish artillery have fired twice on French gunners

Hit both times and inflicted 20% casualties

French gunners pass morale test, but will have minus 2 penalty when firing

End of Move10

French dragoons charge and rout the Spanish lancers

But they are too far to the left to influence the main infantry attack

 

French gunners continue to fire, but with 20% casualties are ineffective

So the infantry are left to attack without any support

 

On the left Suchet leads the two reserve infantry brigades

Both are conscript infantry, and prove unable to break into the town

One brigade routs with 20% casualties

The second is disordered with 20% casualties

The militia garrison continue to hold despite 30% casualties

 

In the centre two brigades attack the other half of Bargas

They rout the garrison with 20% casualties

But one brigade is shaken with 20% casualties and the other disordered with 10%

 

On the right the remaining two brigades attack the Spanish gunners

The leading brigade charges the gunners, but is routed with 30% casualties

The second brigade attacks the Spanish infantry support

They also rout with 20% casualties

 

This is the first time that a French corps have suffered defeat in an open battle

They have lost 8 infantry and 2 gunners (3400 casualties) plus four brigades in rout

The Spanish have lost 8 infantry and 2 cavalry (3400 casualties) plus two brigades in rout.

 

At nightfall the Spanish artillery plus two infantry brigades are full strength

Only the French cavalry are full strength

Suchet orders a retreat to regroup and consider his options.

 

Summary

The French have lost 4 infantry casualties (1600 men)

The Spanish have lost 2 infantry and 2 casualties (1000 men)